10 hidden features of your Apple Watch you didn’t know about

Do you also use your Apple Watch almost daily? We put together ten hidden functions for you, so that you can get even more out of your Apple Watch!

Hidden Features Apple Watch

Apple has now presented watchOS 10, which brings a number of cool new functions to your Apple Watch. We still have to wait for the update, because watchOS 10 will only be released in September.

Until then, we still have to make do with watchOS 9. That’s not too bad, because watchOS 9 contains a number of hidden functions for your Apple Watch that you probably don’t know yet. We put them together for you!

1. Use your Apple Watch for better photos

Do you want to take a group photo, but no one is there to take the photo? Then it is possible to take a photo via your Apple Watch. With the function, you place your iPhone somewhere and then tap your Apple Watch to capture the moment.

You can find this hidden function by opening the Camera app on your Watch, the camera will then automatically open on your iPhone. You will then see the camera screen of your iPhone via your Apple Watch. To take a photo, tap the white button on your Apple Watch. Do you need more time? Then you can also set a timer, so that the photo is only taken after three seconds.

2. Unlock other devices through your Watch

If you have multiple Apple devices, it is possible to use your Apple Watch to unlock other devices. To do this, your Apple Watch must first be unlocked. When you then turn on your iPhone or Macbook, the device is automatically unlocked via your Apple Watch. This way you no longer have to enter your password every time.

Unlocking via your Apple Watch does not happen automatically, you must first give permission. You can turn on the hidden function of your Apple Watch in the settings of your iPhone. You do this as follows:

3. Put ChatGPT on your Apple Watch

ChatGPT is now very popular. Do you always want to have access to the chatbot? Then you can now also install the AI ​​on your Apple Watch. You no longer have to grab your iPhone if you want to consult the chatbot.

To use ChatGPT on your Apple Watch you need to install Petey. You then pay a one-off amount of 4.99 euros. After that you can use the app indefinitely.

4. Control your Apple Watch with hand gestures

You normally operate your Apple Watch with one hand, but it is also possible to control your watch via hand gestures. AssistiveTouch offers the option to add multiple hand gestures to your Apple Watch. You decide for yourself which actions are performed when you make a certain hand movement.

To enable AssistiveTouch, open the Watch app on your iPhone. Go to ‘Accessibility > AssistiveTouch’ and enable the feature. Under ‘Input > Hand gestures’ you choose which gestures you want to use to operate the Apple Watch. Performing the hand gestures takes some getting used to, but you then have many more options when operating your Apple Watch.

5. Hidden Function: Apple Watch as a remote control

Do you have an Apple TV? Then you can also use your Apple Watch as a remote control. The Remote app makes it easy to navigate menus, adjust volume, and even use voice commands to control your Apple TV. The app is standard on your Apple Watch, or can be installed for free in the App Store. So you never have to look for your remote control again!

6. Theater Mode on your Apple Watch

Are you wearing your Apple Watch, but don’t want the screen to light up every time? Then it is useful to turn on Theater mode. This mode turns off your Apple Watch screen and mutes notifications.

The display also does not light up when you move your arm, which is useful if you go to the cinema, for example. You can find Theater Mode in the control center of your Apple Watch.

7. Respond to messages quickly with your Apple Watch

On your Apple Watch, you can already read messages from, for example, WhatsApp in the notification center. That’s not all, because it is also possible to respond to the messages via your Watch. To do this, simply tap on the app (which appears at the top of your screen) and choose the reply you want to send.

In Dutch you can currently only choose from a number of standard answers, including ‘Hello’ and ‘Wat is er?’. If you have the Apple Watch Ultra, it is possible to type a message yourself. You then have to add the English keyboard to your Apple Watch, then you will see a full keyboard when typing. You then decide for yourself what you type.

8. Last longer with your battery

In watchOS 9, Power Saving Mode was introduced to the Apple Watch. With this function, you can do up to twice as long with one battery charge of your Apple Watch. You turn on the function by swiping up from the bottom of the watch face and tapping the battery percentage. Switch on ‘Energy saving mode’ and you’ll last longer with your battery!

9. Protect your privacy with your Apple Watch

It has been possible since the Apple Watch Series 5 to enable the always-on screen. Handy for reading the time, but you sometimes also receive notifications that you prefer to keep private. Fortunately, you can adjust which apps you receive notifications from in the settings of your Watch when you have the always-on screen turned on.

To adjust the settings, open the Watch app on your iPhone. Then go to ‘Display & brightness > Always on > Show notifications’. Here you determine which apps you receive notifications from on the always-on screen. Don’t want to receive notifications from an app? Then turn off the switch behind that app, you will only receive the notifications when you look at your Apple Watch.

10. Hide your directions

Would you rather not everyone can see your directions on your Apple Watch? Then it is possible with Maps to get silent directions when following a route. To do this, turn off the sound in Maps (or Google Maps). Your Apple Watch will then vibrate when you follow a route.

For example, the watch vibrates twice if you have to go left and three times if you should go right. Also useful if you use Google Maps while cycling, you don’t have to look at the screen every time.

Buy Apple Watch? Check the best prices

Are you still looking for a new Apple Watch? The Apple Watch Ultra is the best watch at the moment. If you find it too expensive, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a good alternative. View the best prices in our price comparison, so you can be sure that you are not paying too much!